A nod to info on this site re: health!!

In the pet store today and started talking to a befuddled young man who was trying to pick out wet food for his elderly female cat. TWO issues going on - her stools are hard and she has suddenly started presenting with skin allergies. Hmmmm.

His vet told him to start feeding wet food for the stool issue... and they were kind of at a loss re: the allergies. All the bloodwork was normal, etc.

We talked, we looked at foods, I gave him the benefit of knowledge gained here, but prefaced by saying he should talk to his vet about an LID or changing dry food, etc.

He told me the allergic "rash" is on her paws and around her mouth. Hmmmm.

I also suggested that it could be environmental. I asked if he had changed type of litter, chemicals, detergents or cleaners, etc. He told me that they are in a new apt and it still smells of the dog that was there before. So they had been sprinkling a "scented carpet freshener powder" every where. Liberally. Paws... mouth... carpet... perfumey irritants... Hmmmmm..... I thiiiink this may be a problem for your cat.

I suggested that he STOP using that stuff, thoroughly clean the carpet with a pet-friendly product and see if that helps poor kitty's allergic reaction.

He was so pleased that someone bothered to help. He said, "that's more than the vet told me."

So here is to all you guys with your helpful information. I am paying it forward!!!! I hope "Doug" the cat owner and Jazz, the 15 year old kitty, are better for it!

Poor kitty. Vets often don't think about the environmental factors. Mine was definitely surprised that I was covering all the bases on that with my bronchitis kitties.
The sad fact is people are so used to everything being smelly with artificial junk or other additives that they don't realize that this stuff isn't good for anyone, pet or human until someone gets sick.


(O/T - Today shopping the cart smelled strongly of perfume from the person that had used it before me. They had either had so much perfume on that it was all over their hands or they had stinky lotion on. The smell came off on my hands and had me coughing/gagging from how strong it was.)

I hope your advice helps them.

I trust the people on here, before I trust what the vet says. Guess after what happened with Lynxx's original vet, I'll never trust another vet again, no matter how good they are.

That's really wonderful, Adrien!!! I expect you just really helped Jazz!!!!!

That is great, I really hope the advice works and if it does he relays it back to his vet and in turn can help more cats and dogs to

I hope so you guys... I was thinking about the situation after I left... they had also had the carpet cleaned by Chem Dry... and I have to wonder if THOSE chemicals weren't posing an issue. Poor lil cat was chewing her feet RAW!

^ It honestly depends on how the floors where cleaned. Have you ever read the warnings on a bottle of Nature's Miracle?
We used regular carpet cleaner on the carpets (should have just torn them all out, it would have been cheaper and quicker ) but the they were so filthy that we had to rinse several times anyways. Not that we wouldn't have. Anyone who shampoos carpets with pets and young children in the home should make sure the carpets are thoroughly rinsed out no matter what is use. No detergent should to be ingested. If the "professionals" coming to clean can't do that then choose someone who can.

I have learned so much from this site! I kind of look like it as sitting around the table talking with friends, sharing stories and experiences.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

^ It honestly depends on how the floors where cleaned. Have you ever read the warnings on a bottle of Nature's Miracle?

We used regular carpet cleaner on the carpets (should have just torn them all out, it would have been cheaper and quicker

) but the they were so filthy that we had to rinse several times anyways.

Not that we wouldn't have. Anyone who shampoos carpets with pets and young children in the home should make sure the carpets are thoroughly rinsed out no matter what is use. No detergent should to be ingested. If the "professionals" coming to clean can't do that then choose someone who can.

Click to expand...

I hear you. In the case of this young man... they are renters. The previous renter had a dog that pee'd on the carpet and the smell was bad.. so they "cleaned" it with Chem Dry (the company)... and it didn't really help so they were sprinkling that perfumey stuff everywhere.

I also thought about it afterward that if the dog pee got into the carpet pad or even down to the sub floor.. the only way to fix the problem is rip out the carpet, repair the subfloor wherever it's damaged and start over. I just hope they get the problem/allergy with the cat resolved.

At least they know what to consider now.

Did you tell him about TCS?